Shower water retainer

ABSTRACT

A shower water retainer is provided that can include (1) a shower curtain/liner having a lower shaped region; (2) a shower curtain/liner having a lower shaped flap; and/or (3) a shower curtain/liner having a lower shaped region and also having a lower shaped flap.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/381,711, filed Sep. 10, 2010, U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/383,589, filed Sep. 16, 2010, and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/514,283, filed Aug. 2, 2011, the content of each ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if setforth herein.

FIELD

The present invention generally relates to shower water retainersincluding shower curtains and/or shower curtain liners and/orcombination shower curtain and liners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In exemplary embodiments, a shower water retainer for use in a shower,can comprise a top edge that can comprise an attachment member forattachment to a securing member; a bottom edge; a central surface thatcan extend from the top edge to the bottom edge; a plurality of lateralsides; one or more cutouts that can form one or more corner edges thatcan be adjacent the bottom edge and that can be adjacent at least one ofthe plurality of lateral sides, the one or more corner edges can be tofit over a rim of a shower basin.

In exemplary embodiments, at least one of the one or more corner edgescan be shaped in an arch. In exemplary embodiments, at least one of theone or more corner edges can be a substantially straight edge.

In exemplary embodiments, a shower water retainer can further compriseone or more basin attachment members that can be adapted to releasablyattach at least one of the bottom edge and the one or more corner edgesto a portion of a shower basin. In exemplary embodiments, at least oneof the one or more basin attachment members can comprise a magnet. Inexemplary embodiments, at least one of the one or more basin attachmentmembers can comprise a suction cup.

In exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of the central surface cancomprise a substantially liquid impervious material. In exemplaryembodiments, at least a portion of the central surface can comprise oneor more of silk, cloth, fabric, cotton, polyester, net, lace, satin,denim, vinyl, plastic, polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA), ethylene vinylacetate (EVA), polyvinyl acetate (PVA) and polyvinyl butyral (PVB).

In exemplary embodiments, the attachment member can comprise aperturesthat can accept hooks that can attachment to a shower curtain rod. Inexemplary embodiments, the securing member can be a shower curtain rod.

In exemplary embodiments, a shower water retainer for use in a shower,can comprise a first sheet that can comprise a top edge that cancomprise an attachment member that can attach to a securing member; abottom edge; a central surface that can extend from the top edge to thebottom edge; and a plurality of lateral sides; a flap sheet that can beattached to a portion of the first sheet between the top edge and thebottom edge, the flap sheet that can comprise a top edge that cancomprise an attachment member that can attach to the first sheet; abottom edge; a central surface that can extend from the top edge to thebottom edge; and a plurality of lateral sides, wherein a surface area ofthe flap sheet can be less than a surface area of the first sheet; andone or more cutouts that can form one or more corner edges that can beadjacent at least one of the bottom edge of the first sheet and thebottom edge of the flap sheet, the one or more corner edges can beadapted to fit over a rim of a shower basin.

In exemplary embodiments, the one or more cutouts can form one or morecorner edges that can be adjacent the bottom edge of the first sheet. Inexemplary embodiments, the one or more cutouts can form one or morecorner edges that can be adjacent the bottom edge of the flap sheet. Inexemplary embodiments, the one or more cutouts can form one or morecorner edges that can be adjacent the bottom edge of the first sheet andcan form one or more corner edges that can be adjacent the bottom edgeof the flap sheet.

In exemplary embodiments, the at least one of the one or more corneredges can be shaped in an arch. In exemplary embodiments, the at leastone of the one or more corner edges can be a substantially straightedge.

In exemplary embodiments, the shower water retainer can further compriseone or more basin attachment members that can be adapted to releasablyattach at least one of the bottom edge of the first sheet and the bottomedge of the flap sheet and the one or more corner edges to a portion ofa shower basin. In exemplary embodiments, the at least one of the one ormore basin attachment members can comprise a magnet.

In exemplary embodiments, the at least one of the one or more basinattachment members can comprise a suction cup. In exemplary embodiments,the at least a portion of the central surface of the first sheet and thecentral surface of the flap sheet can comprise a substantially liquidimpervious material.

In exemplary embodiments, the at least a portion of the central surfaceof the first sheet and at least a portion of the central surface of theflap sheet can comprise one or more of silk, cloth, fabric, cotton,polyester, net, lace, satin, denim, vinyl, plastic, polyethylene vinylacetate (PEVA), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyvinyl acetate (PVA)and polyvinyl butyral (PVB).

In exemplary embodiments, the attachment member of the first sheet cancomprise apertures for accepting hooks for attachment to a showercurtain rod. In exemplary embodiments, the securing member can be ashower curtain rod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention willbe more fully understood with reference to the following, detaileddescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures,wherein:

FIGS. 1A-1C illustratively depict configurations for a shower waterretainer in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 2A-2C illustratively depict configurations for a shower waterretainer having a upper region and a lower flap, in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustratively depicts configurations for a shower water retainerhaving a upper region, a lower region and a lower flap, in accordancewith exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A-4E illustratively depict configurations for shower waterretainer in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 illustratively depicts configurations for a shower water retainerin accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 7 illustratively depict configurations for a showerwater retainer having a upper region, a lower region and a lower flaphaving various dimensions, in accordance with exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 8A-8K illustratively depict configurations for a shower waterretainer having a lower region and a lower flap having various shapes,inaccordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 9-10 illustratively depict configurations for a shower waterretainer having a upper region that can have different patterns,inaccordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustratively depicts a configuration for a shower waterretainer having a lower shaped region with suction cups,in accordancewith exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustratively depicts a configuration for a shower waterretainer having a lower shaped region with weights, in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 13-14 illustratively depict configurations for a shower waterretainer having a lower shaped region with suction cups, in accordancewith exemplary embodiments of the present invention; and

FIGS. 15-16 illustratively depict configurations for a shower waterretainer having a lower shaped flap with weights, in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and arenot meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or theclaims. As used throughout this application, the words “may” and “can”are used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to),rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, thewords “include,” “including,” and “includes” mean including but notlimited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals havebeen used, where possible, to designate like elements common to thefigures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention generally relates to shower water retainers. Asused herein the term “shower water retainer” means a shower curtain, ashower curtain liner, and/or a combination shower curtain and liner,each of which can be designed to retain water within a shower. Inexemplary embodiments, the present invention generally relates to showerwater retainers that can include (1) a shower curtain/liner having alower shaped region; (2) a shower curtain/liner having a lower shapedflap; and/or (3) a shower curtain/liner having a lower shaped region andalso having a lower shaped flap.

In exemplary embodiments, each shower water retainer can include anupper region as well as lower shaped region and/or a lower shaped flapthat can be configured such that the shaped region substantially fitsover and/or mimics the contour of a shower basin. For example, lowershaped region and/or a lower shaped flap can be constructed such thatthe a region substantially near the lower corner and/or lateral edge oflower shaped region and/or a lower shaped flap abutting the shower basinmay be shaped to account for the difference in width between a shower'swalls and the width of the shower basin and/or any other aspects of ashower enclosure such as, but not limited to, the shape of the showerbasin and/or shower wall, the curvature of the shower basin and/orshower wall, and fixtures affiliated with the shower basin and/or showerwall, to name a few.

In exemplary embodiments, including a lower shaped region and/or a lowershaped flap can lead to numerous qualities such as, but not limited to,minimizing the buckling and/or bunching of the lower region and/orshower flap which can be, for example, a safety hazard as well as,reducing the “shower-curtain effect”, and/or reducing water spillagefrom the shower basin, to name a few.

FIGS. 1A-1C illustratively depict configurations for a shower waterretainer in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention. In exemplary embodiments, a shower water retainer 100 cancomprise a upper region 110 and a lower shaped region 112. In exemplaryembodiments, a shower water retainer 110 may comprise a central surfaceextending from an upper region 110 to a lower shaped region 112.Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B, in exemplary embodiments, a shower waterretainer 100 having a upper region 110 and a lower shaped flap 114 isillustratively depicted. In exemplary embodiments, a lower shaped flap114 may comprise a central surface extending from a top edge to a bottomedge. In exemplary embodiments, a shower water retainer 100 may compriseone or more cutouts forming one or more corner edges adjacent a bottomedge and adjacent at least one of a plurality of lateral sides, the oneor more corner edges adapted to fit over a rim of a shower basin. Inexemplary embodiments, the shape of the one or more corner edges maycomprise any shape in accordance with exemplary embodiments. By way ofexample, the shape of the one or more corner edges may comprise a curvededge, a straight edge, a jagged edge, a wave-shaped edge, to name a few.Referring to FIG. 3, in exemplary embodiments, a shower water retaining100 having a upper region 110 and a lower shaped region 112 and alsohaving a lower shaped flap 114 is illustratively depicted.

It will be understood that any of the iterations described herein forany shower water retainer(s) including (1) a shower curtain/liner havinga lower shaped region; (2) a shower curtain/liner having a lower shapedflap; and/or (3) a shower curtain/liner having a lower shaped region anda lower shaped flap can be combined into one another. For ease, attimes, not all iterations for each shower water retainer including (1) ashower curtain/liner having a lower shaped region; (2) a showercurtain/liner having a lower shaped flap; and/or (3) a showercurtain/liner having a lower shaped region and a lower shaped flap aredescribed. This is merely for ease and is in no way meant to be alimitation.

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 2A, and 3, in exemplary embodiments, variousshower water retainers 100 including a upper region 110 as well as alower shaped region 112 and/or lower shaped flap 114 are illustrativelydepicted from outside view (e.g., the side facing away from the shower).In exemplary embodiments, the shower water retainer 100 can be supportedby a support member, for example, with a conventional shower curtain rodand hook arrangement 103. In this regard, an exemplary shower waterretainer 100 can include reinforced holes (not shown) through which thehooks can pass. In exemplary embodiments, the hooks can be loop-shaped,but can have any other suitable shape. In exemplary embodiments, clipscan be used to connect the shower water retainers 100 to the curtainrod.

Referring to FIGS. 1B-1C and 2A-2C, in exemplary embodiments, a upperregion 110, lower shaped region 112, and/or lower shaped flap 114 ofshower water retainers 100 can be located substantially on the outsideand/or the inside shower basin 107, as illustratively depicted frombisected view in plane a-a. Although not shown, it will be understoodthat for an shower water retainers 100 having a upper region 110, alower shaped region 112 and also having a lower shaped flap 114, eitherlower shaped region 112 and/or lower shaped flap 114 of the shower waterretainers 100 can be located on the outside or the inside shower basin107.

In exemplary embodiments, the shower water retainers 100 including aupper region 110, lower shaped region 112 and/or lower shaped flap 114can be made of any suitable material such as, but not limited to, silk,cloth, fabric, cotton, polyester, net, lace, satin, denim, vinyl,plastic, polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA), ethylene vinyl acetate(EVA), polyvinyl acetate (PVA) and polyvinyl butyral (PVB), anycombination thereof, and/or any natural and/or synthetic materialconstructed in any form capable of acting as a curtain being used withshower basins, showers, and/or shower enclosures. In exemplaryembodiments, shower water retainers 100 can be made of a suitablywater-resistant or water-proof material, so that shower water retainers100 can function as both a curtain and a liner. In exemplaryembodiments, a portion of the shower water retainers 100 including anupper region 110, lower shaped region 112 and/or lower shaped flap 114can be made of liquid impervious material and/or liquid perviousmaterial.

In exemplary embodiments, lower shaped flap 114 can be affixed to showerwater retainers 100 for example, at a upper region 110, using anysuitable technique, such as, but not limited to, heat sealing, sewing,adhesives, chemically bonding, and any other technique capable ofaffixing lower shaped flap 114 to, for example, upper region 110 ofshower water retainers 100, to name a few.

Further, in some instances, a upper region 110, lower shaped flap 114,lower shaped region 112, and/or any other aspects of shower waterretainers 100 can be substantially one and the same. For ease, at times,upper region 110, lower shaped flap 114, lower shaped region 112, and/orshower water retainers 100 are described as substantially separatebodies. This is merely for ease and is in no way meant to be alimitation.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, in exemplary embodiments, shower waterretainers 100 can be dimensioned substantially similarly to aconventional shower curtain. By way of example, the overall width,length a′, of shower water retainers 100 can be about 70 to 72 incheswide and/or the overall height, length b, of the shower water retainers100 can be about 70 to 72 inches long, to name a few. Other size linersare contemplated in accordance with exemplary embodiments.

In some instance, the lower shaped region 112 and/or lower shaped flap114 of the shower water retainers 100 can be and/or can include at leasta portion that can be narrower than the other portions of the showerwater retainers 100. Other size liners are contemplated in accordancewith exemplary embodiments. For example, referring to FIG. 4D-4E, inlight of FIGS. 4A-4C, the overall width, length a′, can be about one tosix inches wider than the overall width, length c′, of lower edge 116.In some instances, for example, the overall width, length a′, can beabout one to four inches wider than the overall width, length c′, oflower edge 116 and the lower portion 150. In still some instances, forexample, the overall width, length a′, can be about one to two incheswider on each side of than the overall width, length c′, of lower edge116.

Further, in some instances, as disclosed, various portions of lowershaped region 112 and/or lower shaped flap 114 of the shower waterretainers 100 can be narrower than the other portions of the showerwater retainers 100. That is, widths other than and/or including loweredge 116 can be narrower that the other portions of the shower waterretainers 100.

In exemplary embodiments, a shower water retainers 100, upper region110, lower shaped region 112, and/or lower shaped flap 114 can be ofvarious lengths to account for various shower widths, shower tub widths,and the various shapes and sizes of shower tubs and/or any otherreasonable shower enclosure. For example, in some instances, whenextended in outside of a shower basin 107 the upper region 110 of showercurtains/liner 100 can be wide enough to span the width between ashower's walls 105. For another example, when extended in the insideand/or outside of a shower basin 107 the lower shaped region 112, and/orlower shaped flap 114 of shower curtains/liner 100 can be wide enough tospan the width between a shower's walls 105. As discussed, in someinstances when extended in the inside and/or outside of a shower basin107 the lower shaped region 112, and/or lower shaped flap 114 of showercurtains/liner 100 may not be wide enough to span the width between ashower's walls 105.

Referring to FIG. 5, in exemplary embodiments, shower curtain liner 100can be constructed such that lower shaped region 112, and/or lowershaped flap 114 can span varied ranges of width of the interior of ashower tub 107. For example, lower shaped flap 114 can be dimensionedsuch that it can traverse the width, length e′, of a shower tub 107.

Further, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6A-7, in exemplary embodiments, whensuspended lower shaped region 112, and/or lower shaped flap 114 can spanvaried ranges of lengths, lengths f′ and f″, in height. By way ofexample, lower shaped region 112 and lower shaped flap 114 can be aboutequal in length, lower shaped region 112 can be longer than lower shapedflap 114, and/or lower shaped region 112 can be shorter than lowershaped flap 114, to name a few.

Referring to FIGS. 8A-8K, in embodiments, viewing the from the outsidein and/or inside out, lower shaped region 112 and/or lower shaped flap114 can be any shape in accordance with exemplary embodiments. Forexample, lower shaped region 112 and/or lower shaped flap 114 caninclude lateral edges 802 having any shape in accordance with exemplaryembodiments, such as, but not limited to, arced, straight, formingobtuse and or acute angles with edge 116, a substantially curved shape,any combination thereof, and/or a shape contoured to a the surface of aportion of a shower basin, or any other shape which allows for the lowerregion 112 and/or lower shaped flap 114 to go inside the shower withouttouching the rim of the shower basin, to name a few. Further, inexemplary embodiments, lower shaped region 112 and/or lower shaped flap114 can include more than one shape. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8A,8D, 8G, 8K there can be a first shaped region having one shape and asecond shaped region having a second shape. For example, referring toFIG. 8K a zoomed in image illustrates a first straight region 806 and asecond curved region 808.

In exemplary embodiments, edge 116 can also include any shape inaccordance with exemplary embodiments such as, but not limited to,arced, straight, forming obtuse and or acute angles with edge 802, asubstantially curved shape, any combination thereof, and/or a shapecontoured to a the surface of a portion of a shower basin, or any othershape which allows for the lower region 112 and/or lower shaped flap 114to go inside the shower without touching the rim of the shower basin, toname a few. For ease, at times, edge 116 is depicted as beingsubstantially straight and horizontal. This is merely for ease and is inno way meant to be a limitation.

Further, it will be understood that any of the iterations describedherein for lower shaped region 112 and/or lower shaped flap 114 can beincluded into one another. For ease, at times, not all iterations foreach of lower shaped region 112 and lower shaped flap 114 are described.This is merely for ease and is in no way meant to be a limitation.

Any shape of lower shaped region 112 and/or lower shaped flap 114 inaccordance with exemplary embodiments can be created, for example bycutting away material. It will be understood that language “cutting awaymaterial”, “cutout”, or the like, is in no way limited to the physicalact of cutting. This language “cutting away material”, “cutout”, or thelike, is merely for descriptive purposes. For example, the “cutting awaymaterial”, “cutout”, or the like, can refer to actually cutting awaymaterial and/or this can be a region made in a configuration using anytechnique. These cutout shapes can be any shape in accordance withexemplary embodiments, such as rectangles, squares, triangles, and/orany other geometric shape, to name a few. Further, these cutout shapescan account for a molded shower tub. Further, in embodiments (not shown)only one side of the shower liner 110 can be shaped and/or cutout.

In embodiments, the shape of lower shaped region 112 and/or lower shapedflap 114 of the shower water retainers 100 can be of various arcs and/orlengths to account for various shower widths, shower tub widths, and thevarious shapes and sizes of shower tubs and/or shower enclosures, toname a few.

In embodiments, the relative lengths of the bottom edges of the lowershaped flap 114 and the lower shaped region 112 can be chosen by takinginto account the anticipated width of an outer rim of the shower basin107 over which the lower shaped flap 114 can hang, as well as a relativedifference in height between the bathroom floor on the outside of theshower basin 107 and the bottom of the shower basin 107, so that theinside portion of the lower shaped region 112 and/or the lower shapedflap 114 can be long enough to keep water from exiting the shower basin107 and still can hang over the rim of the shower basin 107 and into theshower basin 107, and can be not so long as to crowd a user's space inthe shower basin 107.

In exemplary embodiments, the overall shape of lower shaped flap 114 caninclude triangular cut outs on the lower corner portions, so that theedge of the flap can join the upper region 110 at an obtuse angle. Theflap can be rectangular so that the lower corner portion cut outs can bealso rectangular or square.

Further, in exemplary embodiments, where the edge of the lower shapedflap 114 joins, can be affixed to, the upper region 110 any shape inaccordance with exemplary embodiments can be in that region. Forexample, at that region lower shaped flap 114 can be at an angle toupper region 110 such as, but not limited to 180 degrees, a right angle,an obtuse angle, and/or an acute angle, to name a few.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, in exemplary embodiments, the upper region110, lower region 112, and/or lower shaped flap 114 can comprisedifferent patterns. In exemplary embodiments, the patterns can bedesigns printed on at least a portion of the upper region 110. Forexample, the upper region 110 can have a pattern, such as a stripedpattern, as shown in FIG. 9, or can be clear, opaque or transparent, asshown in FIG. 10. The upper region 110 can have any number of patternsor designs, and be made of a clear material or a material that blocksvisibility, and is not limited to any of the above.

Referring to FIG. 11, in exemplary embodiments, the lower shaped region112 of the shower water retainers 100 can have one or more suction cups140 a, 140 b and 140 c that can adhere to an inside of the shower basin107. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 11, suction cups 140 aand 140 c can be located on alternative sides of the lower shaped region112 at a lower portion thereof, adjacent to the bottom edge of the lowershaped region 112, and suction cup 140 b can be provided approximatelyin the middle of suction cups 140 a and 140 c, adjacent to the bottomedge of the lower shaped region 112. For example, the suction cups 140a, 140 b and 140 c can be provided approximately 1″-5″ above the bottomedge of the lower shaped region 112, and can be provided approximately2.5″ above the bottom edge of the lower shaped region 112. Suction cups140 a and 140 c can be located on alternative sides of the lower shapedregion 112, approximately 1″-10″ away from the side edges of the lowershaped region 112, or approximately 6″ away from the side edges of thelower shaped region 112. The locations of the suction cups 140 a, 140 band 140 c can vary, and one or more can be used in various embodiments.For example, in FIGS. 13-14, upper suction cups 140 d and 140 e can beprovided at an upper portion at alternative sides of the lower shapedregion 112 that can adhere to a periphery of the shower basin 107.

It will be understood that the embodiments described are not limited tosuction cups, but alternatives can be used. For example, magnets can beused instead of suction cups where the shower basin can be of a magneticnature. Also, for example, magnets can be used in combination withsuction cups.

Referring to FIG. 12, in exemplary embodiments, weights 142 a, 142 b and142 c can be used to weigh the lower shaped region 112 in a downwardsdirection. The locations of the weights 142 a, 142 b and 142 c can besimilar to the suction cups described above with respect to FIG. 11. Thelocations of the weights 142 a, 142 b and 142 c can vary, and less ormore weights can be used in exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 15-16, in exemplary embodiments, weights 160 a, 160 band 160 c can be provided on the lower shaped flap 114 of the showerwater retainers 100 that can weigh the lower shaped flap 114 in adownwards direction. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 15,weights 160 a and 146 c can be located on alternative sides of the lowershaped flap 114 at a lower portion thereof, adjacent to the bottom edgeof the lower shaped flap 114, and weight 160 b can be providedapproximately in the middle of weights 140 a and 140 c, adjacent to thebottom edge of the lower shaped flap 114. For example, the weights 160a, 160 b and 160 c can be provided approximately 1″-5″ above the bottomedge of the lower shaped flap 114, and can be provided approximately2.5″ above the bottom edge of the lower shaped flap 114. The locationsof the weights 160 a, 160 b and 160 c can vary, and one or more can beused. In exemplary embodiments, suction cups can be used instead ofweights, or magnetic structures can be used instead as well, and thedisclosure is not limited to any of the above.

In addition, various combinations of suction cups, weights and magneticstructures can be used on the lower shaped region 112 and lower shapedflap 114. For example, in exemplary embodiments, both lower shapedregion 112 and lower shaped flap 114 can use suction cups, weights, ormagnetic structures. In exemplary embodiments, lower shaped region 112can have suction cups and lower shaped flap 114 can use weights. Inexemplary embodiments, lower shaped region 112 can have weights cups andlower shaped flap 114 can use suction cups. In exemplary embodiments,the lower shaped region 112 can have weights or suction cups, and thelower shaped flap 114 can have no weights or suction cups. In exemplaryembodiments, the lower shaped flap 114 can have weights or suction cups,and the lower shaped region 112 can have no weights or suction cups.Various combinations and locations of the suction cups, weights andmagnetic structures are contemplated in accordance with exemplaryembodiments and are not limited to the above descriptions.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modification can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this disclosure.

Now that exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereonwill become readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

It will be understood that any of the steps described can be rearranged,separated, and/or combined without deviating from the scope ofembodiments of the invention. For ease, steps are, at times, presentedsequentially. This is merely for ease and is in no way meant to be alimitation.

Further, it will be understood that any of the elements and/or exemplaryembodiments of the invention described can be rearranged, separated,and/or combined without deviating from the scope of the invention. Forease, various elements are described, at times, separately. This ismerely for ease and is in no way meant to be a limitation.

While the various steps, elements, and/or exemplary embodiments of theinvention have been outlined above, it is evident that manyalternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. The various steps, elements, and/or exemplaryembodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to beillustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, thespirit and scope of the present invention is to be construed broadly andnot limited by the foregoing specification.

No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the presentapplication should be construed as critical or essential to embodimentsof the present invention unless explicitly described as such. Also, asused herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items.Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language isused.

Further, the terms “any of” followed by a listing of a plurality ofitems and/or a plurality of categories of items, as used herein, areintended to include “any of,” “any combination of,” “any multiple of,”and/or “any combination of multiples of” the items and/or the categoriesof items, individually or in conjunction with other items and/or othercategories of items. In addition, as used herein, the term “set” isintended to include any number of items, including zero. Further, asused herein, the term “number” is intended to include any number,including zero.

1. A shower water retainer for use in a shower, comprising: a top edgecomprising an attachment member for attachment to a securing member; abottom edge; a central surface extending from the top edge to the bottomedge; a plurality of lateral sides; one or more cutouts forming one ormore corner edges adjacent the bottom edge and adjacent at least one ofthe plurality of lateral sides, the one or more corner edges adapted tofit over a rim of a shower basin.
 2. The shower water retainer of claim1, wherein at least one of the one or more corner edges is shaped in anarch.
 3. The shower water retainer of claim 1, wherein at least one ofthe one or more corner edges is a substantially straight edge.
 4. Theshower water retainer of claim 1, further comprising: one or more basinattachment members adapted to releasably attach at least one of thebottom edge and the one or more corner edges to a portion of a showerbasin.
 5. The shower basin of claim 4, wherein at least one of the oneor more basin attachment members comprises a magnet.
 6. The shower basinof claim 4, wherein at least one of the one or more basin attachmentmembers comprises a suction cup.
 7. The shower water retainer of claim1, wherein at least a portion of the central surface comprises asubstantially liquid impervious material.
 8. The shower water retainerof claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the central surface comprisesone or more of silk, cloth, fabric, cotton, polyester, net, lace, satin,denim, vinyl, plastic, polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA), ethylene vinylacetate (EVA), polyvinyl acetate (PVA) and polyvinyl butyral (PVB). 9.The shower water retainer of claim 1, wherein the attachment membercomprises apertures for accepting hooks for attachment to a showercurtain rod.
 10. The shower water retainer of claim 1, wherein thesecuring member is a shower curtain rod.
 11. A shower water retainer foruse in a shower, comprising: a first sheet comprising: a top edgecomprising an attachment member for attachment to a securing member; abottom edge; a central surface extending from the top edge to the bottomedge; and a plurality of lateral sides; a flap sheet attached to aportion of the first sheet between the top edge and the bottom edge, theflap sheet comprising: a top edge comprising an attachment member forattachment to the first sheet; a bottom edge; a central surfaceextending from the top edge to the bottom edge; and a plurality oflateral sides, wherein a surface area of the flap sheet is less than asurface area of the first sheet; and one or more cutouts forming one ormore corner edges adjacent at least one of the bottom edge of the firstsheet and the bottom edge of the flap sheet, the one or more corneredges adapted to fit over a rim of a shower basin.
 12. The shower waterretainer of claim 11, wherein the one or more cutouts form one or morecorner edges adjacent the bottom edge of the first sheet.
 13. The showerwater retainer of claim 11, wherein the one or more cutouts form one ormore corner edges adjacent the bottom edge of the flap sheet.
 14. Theshower water retainer of claim 11, wherein the one or more cutouts formone or more corner edges adjacent the bottom edge of the first sheet andform one or more corner edges adjacent the bottom edge of the flapsheet.
 15. The shower water retainer of claim 11, wherein at least oneof the one or more corner edges is shaped in an arch.
 16. The showerwater retainer of claim 11, wherein at least one of the one or morecorner edges is a substantially straight edge.
 17. The shower waterretainer of claim 11, further comprising: one or more basin attachmentmembers adapted to releasably attach at least one of the bottom edge ofthe first sheet and the bottom edge of the flap sheet and the one ormore corner edges to a portion of a shower basin.
 18. The shower basinof claim 17, wherein at least one of the one or more basin attachmentmembers comprises a magnet.
 19. The shower basin of claim 17, wherein atleast one of the one or more basin attachment members comprises asuction cup.
 20. The shower water retainer of claim 11, wherein at leasta portion of the central surface of the first sheet and the centralsurface of the flap sheet comprises a substantially liquid imperviousmaterial.
 21. The shower water retainer of claim 11, wherein at least aportion of the central surface of the first sheet and at least a portionof the central surface of the flap sheet comprise one or more of silk,cloth, fabric, cotton, polyester, net, lace, satin, denim, vinyl,plastic, polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA), ethylene vinyl acetate(EVA), polyvinyl acetate (PVA) and polyvinyl butyral (PVB).
 22. Theshower water retainer of claim 11, wherein the attachment member of thefirst sheet comprises apertures for accepting hooks for attachment to ashower curtain rod.
 23. The shower water retainer of claim 11, whereinthe securing member is a shower curtain rod.